Category: Uncategorized

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Garth Brooks ends Las Vegas run early?

I’m hearing today that Garth Brooks’ run of monthly acoustic shows at The Wynn in Las Vegas is coming to an end a bit earlier than expected.

From Mike Weatherford at the Las Vegas Review Journal:

The shows began in December 2009 in an arrangement always described as open-ended, but planned to last five years. Wynn sweetened the deal by giving Brooks unrestricted use of a private jet to commute from his home in Oklahoma.

Not sure why the end after only three years. I do know audiences have been thrilled by Brooks’ performances where he’s been known to mix it up and often perform songs off the cuff.

Still a great star.

The remaining shows are Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26-27 and Nov. 16-17.  Click here for ticket info.

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Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: “Same Love”

Sometimes, we open our minds and find we like something new.  We realize that something we THINK we don’t like, we just don’t know yet.

I’m not a big rap music guy.  Just haven’t gotten it.  But today I saw this and realized “wow – I like THIS rap music.”

Kind of the way some folks think they don’t like the idea of gay people and marriage equality, and then they get to  know someone gay and realize “hey – these folk are a lot like me.”

My favorite line from this video – “press Play, not Pause.” 

Check out the video.  It’s really amazing. 

From Macklemore &Ryan Lewis: “We support civil rights, and hope WA State voters will APPROVE REF 74 and legalize marriage equality. Visit http://www.music4marriage.org for more info.”

Same Love, as featured on the debut album from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Heist, will be available 10/09/2012.  Check it out on Amazon.

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Chris Kluwe on the cover of OUT Magazine

One of my favorite LGBT allys, Chris Kluwe, is currently featured on the cover of OUT Magazine.  (He’s also officially my favorite NFL punter).

In the interview, Kluwe explains some of his tips for making his blog posts work:

“Your insults can’t be the standard f*ck, sh*t, bitch — it has to be something that sticks in people’s minds,” says Chris Kluwe, the Minnesota Vikings punter, explaining how to craft a devastating letter to someone whose views you hold reprehensible. “Generally the way you do that is to take a swear word—usually a part of someone’s anatomy — and attach it to something else that it normally wouldn’t go with. When you come up with a good one, you’ll know you have it because you’ll just start giggling to yourself.”

Make sure you read the terrific article about this Minnesota Viking’s literal stand for equal rights for gays and lesbians.  

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Jennifer Livingston rocks – and makes her critic that much smaller by standing up for herself

Jennifer Livingston of WKBT in La Crosse, Wis., slammed the viewer on-air after he wrote in to complain that Livingston wasn’t “a suitable example for this community’s young people, girls in particular” because of her size.

Livingston used the personal attack to send a public message about bullying, noting that October is National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month.

“That man’s words mean nothing to me, but really angers me about this is there are children who don’t know better — who get emails as critical as the one I received or in many cases, even worse, each and every day,” she said, adding that children often learn bullying from their parents.

“To all of the children out there who feel lost, who are struggling with your weight, with the color of your skin, your sexual preference, your disability, even the acne on your face, listen to me right now,” Livingston continued.

“Do not let your self-worth be defined by bullies. Learn from my experience, that the cruel words of one are nothing compared to the shouts of many.”

(source)

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Pennsylvania judge halts new voter ID law

Good news for those fighting voter disenfranchisement, the AP reports:

Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson said in his ruling that he was concerned by the state’s stumbling efforts to create a photo ID that is easily accessible to voters and that he could not rely on the assurances of government officials at this late date that every voter would be able to get a valid ID.

If it stands, it is good news for Obama’s chances in Pennsylvania, one of the nation’s biggest electoral college prizes, unless Republicans and the tea party groups that backed the law find a way to use it to motivate their supporters and possibly independents.

Simpson’s ruling could be appealed to the state Supreme Court, although state officials weren’t ready to say Tuesday whether they would appeal.

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WILL.I.AM urges America’s youth to get out and vote

In this PSA, WILL.I.AM is urging America’s youth to get out and vote and stresses the importance of making your voice heard by saying, “Be as loud as rock and roll. Go out and activate yourself and show them that you ain’t a punk.” Voting is a right and privilege most young Americans don’t exercise because they do not feel empowered or feel the need to.

OurTime.org is a non-partisan, non-profit, youth empowerment organization with more than 400,000 members that is currently registering Americans to vote in partnership with the most prominent entertainment, sports, and music acts. They have created a series of powerful viral interview videos featuring Usher, Rachel Zoe, Larry David, Trey Songz, Nas, Renee Zellweger, Pharrell, and Jessica Alba that will further inspire young people to vote.

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Sophomore Whitney Kropp for the win!

How about this piece of news? Turning bullying on it’s ear and walking like the queen she is.

Sophomore Whitney Kropp was an unpopular outsider with few friends when her classmates nominated her for the school Homecoming court. She was elated — until she realized it was all a cruel prank.

After the boy who was picked with her withdrew, “I thought I wasn’t worthy,” said Kropp, 16. “I was this big old joke.”

But then word of the prank spread and residents of her small Michigan town pledged their support — and she decided to stand up to the bullying and embrace her new role.

“Going to homecoming to show them that I’m not a joke,” she wrote on Facebook. “I’m a beautiful person and you shouldn’t mess with me!”

At Friday night’s Homecoming football game, residents turned out in droves to see her introduced at halftime, all wearing orange, Kropp’s favorite color. For the Homecoming dance the next evening, local businesses made sure her expenses were covered, including dinner, photos, hair and nails, and gown and shoes.

How did it all turn out? “I’m overwhelmed,” Kropp said. “I’m so happy — this is so much right now for me.”

So much? I’d say it’s just a bit of what you deserve, Whitney. Good for you for owning your fab self. I hope folks learn something about self-esteem from you. You rock.

Listen to Whitney on the Ryan Seacrest show talk about the whole story (Whitney hits the air at the 8:30 mark)

(source)

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Video: Barbra Streisand “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today”


Barbra Streisand “I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today” from Columbia Records on Vimeo.

From Babs upcoming new CD “Release Me”

The song was recorded in 1970 for the “Stoney End” album but not used as Babs already had two other Randy Newman songs on the record.  Newman actually plays the piano on this and you can hear his voice at the beginning of the track.

The video is photographed, edited, and directed by Matt Amato.